April 7, 2025, 1:06 p.m. | Reading time: 10 minutes
Kenya is a popular travel destination in East Africa. But the picture that the Foreign Office is currently painting in its security information is partly bleak. How safe is traveling to the African country at the href="https://schonemama.de" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moment?
See lions up close. Watching giant elephants leisurely trudge past and feeling tiny. Or see how giraffes in the wild elegantly stretch their necks to reach the highest leaf on the tree. Sort of like the idea of a safari. A travel destination that is suitable for this is Kenya in East Africa. In addition to wildlife safaris, the country also promises its visitors fantastic beaches (Sunnytrips reported) and climbs to Mount Kenya with dream views. And for the most part, Kenya was considered, if not completely safe, at least one of the safest countries in Africa. But since last year there have been repeated reports of riots with a number of deaths. The domestic political situation is uncertain. There are also a few other issues such as crime and illness that cause uncertainty. Accordingly, travelers are wondering how safe traveling to Kenya currently is and whether planned vacations there can take place. An overview of the situation on site.
Uncertain domestic political situation
Terror threat
CrimeDangerous regions in Kenya
Dangerous regions in Kenya
LGBTQ+ and other and legal specifics
Road traffic, nature and climate
diseases
This is what you should keep in mind when vacationing in Kenya
Uncertain domestic political situation
The situation currently seems to have calmed down somewhat after there were a number of violent clashes between demonstrators and the Kenyan police and ultimately also the military last year. First, Kenyans demonstrated against a tax law, then also against the entire government of William Ruto, who has been in office since September 2022. Last summer, demonstrators stormed Parliament and set parts of it on fire. The government took rigorous action against the demonstrators, and many people were killed. The demonstrations lasted until the end of the year, as the Foreign Office writes in its security information on Kenya. However, travelers must still expect that demonstrations will be organized at short notice, which could turn into violent protests. This is particularly the case in Nairobi, Mombasa and other cities in Kenya.
Terror threat
In addition to the risk of uprisings, according to the Foreign Office, there is also “an increased risk of terrorist attacks” in Kenya against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict. The Somali terrorist organization Al-Shabaab threatened to respond with reprisals to the participation of the Kenyan armed forces in the ATMIS peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The terrorist organization also called for solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
BILD Reisen: Discover the best hotels in Kenya now!
“Government buildings, hotels, bars and restaurants, shopping centers, church facilities, public transport such as buses, minibuses, ferries, airports and other heavily frequented facilities are among the places with increased risk,” says the Foreign Office. There are also various regions that the office strongly advises against visiting due to local terrorist activities. This includes the border area with Somalia, including Lamu province. The Foreign Office writes: "Lamu Island and Manda Island have not yet been the target of any attacks. However, there is an increasing number of active terrorist cells that are penetrating close to the archipelago." There is an increased risk of kidnapping and attacks, especially on trips to more remote places in the coastal region. Lamu Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as a center of Islamic and Swahili culture.
Crime
Regardless of the current political situation, Kenya is not a completely safe country to travel to. Crime is an issue in many places. The Kenyan government has recently classified the North Rift region as particularly at risk, as gang attacks have recently increased here and the situation on site is heating up. However, according to the Foreign Office, there is a risk of becoming a victim of an armed attack in all parts of Kenya. There are also kidnappings of Western foreigners, in some cases large amounts of money are extorted.
According to the Foreign Office, there is an increased risk of robberies, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa, both on pedestrians and drivers. In Nairobi, the districts of Eastleigh, Pangani and the slum areas are particularly dangerous. Organized slum tours sometimes result in violent attacks on groups of visitors. There have also been regular scams in the city lately, in which fraudsters pose as police officers to travelers. In such a case, the Foreign Office recommends having your ID card shown and “not following instructions without an understandable reason”.
The office also sees an increased risk of being attacked and kidnapped in the northern and northeastern parts of Kenya, in the coastal region north of Malindi and on the roads to the Northeast Province and the Northern Coastal Province. On the beaches, it is particularly walkers who are on the beach and outside the hotel complex after dark who are at risk of being attacked. Robberies sometimes occur on the coast in privately rented tourist accommodation as well as in bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Dangerous regions in Kenya
The Federal Foreign Office currently strongly advises against traveling to these regions:
North Rift Region:Korkoron Hills, Tandare Valley and Silale Gorges in Baringo County;Mukogodo Forest, Kamwenje, Warero and Ndonyoriwo, Lekuruki Hills, Losos and Kiape Caves and Sieku Valley in Laikipia County;Ltungai Conservancy, Longewan, Nasuur, Lochokia and Lekadaar Escarpmenst, Lolmolok Caves, Pura Valley, Malaso Escarpment and Suguta Valley in Samburu County; Kapebok, Nakwamoru, Lebokat, Ombollion, Nadome and Kamur Caves in Turkana County and Turkwell Escarpment at the interface with West Pokot and Turkana Counties
Korkoron Hills, Tandare Valley and Silale Gorges in Baringo County;
Mukogodo Forest, Kamwenje, Warero and Ndonyoriwo, Lekuruki Hills, Losos and Kiape Caves and Sieku Valley in Laikipia County;
Ltungai Conservancy, Longewan, Nasuur, Lochokia and Lekadaar Escarpmenst, Lolmolok Caves, Pura Valley, Malaso Escarpment and Suguta Valley in Samburu County;
Kapebok, Nakwamoru, Lebokat, Ombollion, Nadome and Kamur Caves in Turkana County and Turkwell Escarpment at the interface with West Pokot and Turkana Counties
Border area with Somalia (around 100 kilometers from the border), including Lamu Province
Austria's Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) has currently issued a partial travel warning (security level 5 of 6) for the border area with Somalia. According to the Austrian Ministry, there is a high security risk (security level 3) for the “counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu.” There is also a security risk for the rest of the country (security level 2)
LGBTQ+ and other and legal specifics
Anyone who wants to travel to Kenya should know that Kenyan criminal law “criminals homosexual acts,” as the Foreign Office writes. They are also socially taboo. It therefore urgently recommends restraint in public.
Anyone who meets in Kenya via a dating platform must be particularly careful, as there have recently been several attacks in this connection, some of which resulted in serious bodily harm. Homosexuals are particularly affected.
Special legal regulations in Kenya at a glance:
Drugs: Drug offenses are punished harshly. Even without a conviction, you can be held in custody for several years.
Weapons: Unauthorized possession of weapons is punished severely. Toy guns, gas and blank guns, CS gas and pepper spray are also considered weapons. Weapons are not allowed into national parks.
Visa: Anyone who stays in Kenya illegally, for example after the visa has expired, must expect imprisonment, a fine and deportation.
Plastic bags: prohibited. Possession is punishable by fines and even imprisonment.
Ivory (products): Possession and trade are prohibited.
Corals, shells and starfish: purchasing and collecting are prohibited.
Money: Damage and destruction prohibited and punishable as the Kenyan President is depicted on coins and banknotes.
Road traffic, nature and climate
Like many other things in Kenya, road traffic is not necessarily safe. According to the Foreign Office, serious accidents involving intercity buses and motorcycle taxis (so-called “boda-boda”) that result in death occur comparatively often. The reasons are excessive speed and tired drivers. The situation is similar with safaris from local providers, where sometimes the minibuses are only partially suitable for off-road use.
During the country's rainy seasons (October/November and late March to mid-June), it can rain so heavily that floods and landslides occur. This also hinders road traffic and sometimes destroys infrastructure. In addition, earthquakes and volcanic activity can sometimes occur in Kenya because the country is in a slightly seismically active zone, writes the Foreign Office.
Vacation in East AfricaThe best travel tips for Mombasa in Kenya
Vacation in East AfricaMasai Mara in Kenya – Safari to the “Big Five”
diseases
Medical care depends heavily on where you are. International SOS's Risk Map 2024 states that there is a variable risk because there is adequate medical care in large cities, such as medication and emergency services, but not in other parts of the country. The same applies to the emergence of communicable diseases.
The dangers of communicable diseases include malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. The risk of malaria varies regionally; the German Society for Tropical Medicine provides an overview. In general, the risk is high in all parts of the country below 2,500 meters altitude, but Nairobi city center is malaria-free. Other mosquito-borne diseases in Kenya include chikungunya and dengue fever, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, Rift Valley and West Nile fever, and Zika virus. Ticks also pose a risk of Crimean-Congo and African tick-bite fever. In addition, there are diseases that can be transmitted by dogs (rabies), contact with infected slaughter and dairy products from infected animals (Rift Valley fever), various hoofed animals (anthrax), and camels (MERS). There are also some animal species that are dangerous themselves, for example because they are poisonous.
In addition, according to the Foreign Office, poor drinking water and poor food and hand hygiene can lead to diarrhea as well as liver disease, shigellosis, typhus and poliomyelitis. There is also a risk of contracting meningococcal disease, tuberculosis or HIV from other people. Furthermore, there can be impairments caused by air pollution in large cities, intense sunlight as well as various worm infections and altitude sickness.
Also interesting: The most dangerous (and safest) countries in 2025
This is what you should keep in mind when vacationing in Kenya
In line with the uncertain situation, the Federal Foreign Office publishes a lot of advice for your own safety in its travel advice for Kenya. The most important thing is always: keep yourself constantly informed about the situation on site, including through local media as well as local tour operators or hotel management.
Sunnytrips summarizes the other important tips:
Avoid demonstrations and crowds of people; In Nairobi, in particular, avoid the Central Business District (CBD), the State House, the Kibera and Mathare districts during demonstrations, as well as Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue and Harambee Avenue
Avoid non-essential journeys and remote areas; avoid public buses, “matatus” and “boda-bodas” when traveling overland and use licensed taxis instead; no night trips
Always stay mindful
Always carry functional means of communication with you
Enter it in the Federal Foreign Office's crisis preparedness list
For unavoidable trips to the above-mentioned danger areas, travel in a guarded convoy or plane
Only stay in secured accommodation types
Visit Mombasa's old town only with people who know the area; Avoid the inner cities of Nairobi and Mombasa at night
Do not take unnecessary valuables or large sums of cash with you; Only use your smartphone in public if necessary
Individual tourists in national parks should only stay in lodges or on guarded campsites
If you are robbed, do not resist and immediately inform the local police and the German Embassy in Nairobi
Observe prohibitions and warnings as well as the instructions of local authorities and security forces
Inform the travel or hotel management about safari providers and, if necessary, advise the driver of an appropriate driving style if driving is risky
If possible, hikes with local, trustworthy or registered hiking guides with the Kenya Wildlife Service
Get travel medical advice early on and have your vaccination protection adjusted
Do not bring plastic bags in your luggage to Kenya
Constantly protect yourself from mosquitoes (mosquito repellent, appropriate clothing, bed nets)
Keep away from people who appear sick, funerals and hospitals, as well as animals and animal feces.
Essential Travel Planning Tips, Destinations, Shopping, and Lifestyle ResourcesWhether you're planning your next vacation, researching destinations, comparing travel costs, or looking for unique online stores, having reliable resources can make every decision easier. This guide highlights useful travel insights, money-saving tips, dining recommendations, and specialty websites worth exploring.
Smart Travel Planning and Budget Strategies
Successful trips start with proper preparation. Before booking, review these practical href="https://grandgoldman.com/blogs/travel/planning-tips">travel planning tips to avoid common mistakes and maximize your budget.
Travelers interested in resort vacations should learn the cheapest time for all-inclusive resorts and discover the most affordable countries for all-inclusive resorts.
If you're comparing options, explore whether all-inclusive vacations are cheaper than booking separately, understand how all-inclusive resorts generate revenue, and determine the ideal length of an all-inclusive stay.
Understanding All-Inclusive Resorts
Many travelers wonder about resort experiences. Learn about the various types of all-inclusive resorts, discover the advantages and drawbacks of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, and see whether all-inclusive resorts are really boring.
You may also want to know whether resorts water down alcohol, what happens at adult-only all-inclusive resorts, and whether kids-free">Sandals Resorts are kid-free.
Dining Recommendations Around Europe
Food is often the highlight of travel. Discover the best restaurants in Córdoba, find a cheap restaurant in Madrid, enjoy local cuisine at a budget-friendly restaurant in Cudillero, explore the best restaurants in Budapest, and save money with recommendations for the best cheap restaurants in Iceland.
Unique Destinations and Cultural Insights
Travelers heading to Mexico may enjoy these clothing-optional beaches in Cancun. For those interested in history and social studies, this guide to South African apartheid history offers valuable context.
Travel Finance and Essential Resources
Reducing banking fees while abroad can significantly lower travel costs. Compare options for the best credit cards without foreign transaction fees.
Online Shopping, Business, and Lifestyle Websites
Beyond travel, several specialty websites provide useful products and services. Explore educational toys at Building Blocks Toy, Spanish business resources at Empresa España, and French business information through Entreprises France.
anime-toy.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anime fans can browse merchandise at jujutsu-kaisen-merch.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jujutsu-kaisen-merch.com/">Jujutsu Kaisen Merch, while leather enthusiasts may appreciate Leder Kaufen.
Creative services are available through Matrix Studios, while premium fashion shoppers can visit Pretium Victoriae. Gaming enthusiasts can discover retro-games.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retro entertainment at Retro Games.
Motorcycle riderace.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">riders may enjoy resources from RideRace, and kitchen product shoppers can explore innovative accessories at Walfos, with cutting edge compact computers at Mini PC.
Final Thoughts
From all-inclusive resort planning and European dining guides to financial travel tools and niche online stores, these resources provide valuable information for travelers, shoppers, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists looking to make informed decisions and enjoy better experiences.
